Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC may have gotten by my scrappy Rockets, but they paid a price for it, losing all-star PG Russell Westbrook for the rest of the playoffs. Kevin Durant will have to light it up again for the Thunder to get past the #1 defensive team in the league in Memphis, which absolutely stifled and out-muscled the Clippers in winning four straight games. Unless OKC's role players (Kevin Martin, Serge Ibaka) really step it up and contribute, I like the Grizzlies ablility to contain Durant and control the pace of the game effectively by pounding it inside with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.
Grizzlies in 6
PG Stephen Curry is the hottest shooter on the planet at the moment, lighting up the scoreboard against the Nuggets and leading Golden State to the upset. His matchup with PG Tony Parker will be the one to watch in this match-up. I think it comes down to playoff experience and the front court of the Spurs with a rejuvenated Tim Duncan, Tiago Splitter, and Boris Diaw simply being too much for Andrew Bogut and the Warriors to handle. Plus, Golden State hasn't won a game in San Antonio since 1997.
Spurs in 6
Eastern Conference
Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat
The depleted Bulls simply wanted it more against the Nets. Despite not having Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich for the final two games, Chicago showed its heart by eliminating the Nets in Game 7 last night. Now can the Bulls get healthy enough to stop the MVP and the red-hot Heat in round 2? I think they can make Miami work for it, if they play extremely physical, like the game that ended Miami's 27-game winning streak. But, assuming Dwayne Wade is healthy, Miami is just way too talented.
Heat in 5
Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks
Both teams looked shaky in their opening round series, as the Knicks blew two chances to eliminate the Celtics before withstanding a huge rally in Game 6, while the Pacers looked dreadful in their two road losses in Games 3 and 4, before destroying Atlanta with stifling defense in their closeout Game 6 victory. This series will depend on which team can impose their style on the game. The Knicks want to run and shoot threes, while Indiana wants to pound the ball inside with David West and Roy Hibbert, and play outstanding defense. In the end, even though the Knicks have the best player on the court in Carmelo Anthony and even though the Pacers have looked so bad on the road this year, I'm picking Paul George and Indiana to advance, just because I think they have a better shot at knocking out the Heat in the East Finals.
Pacers in 7
My First Round Record: 6-2
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